Gavin and Stacey star Margaret dies

Gavin and Stacey star Margaret dies

Actress Margaret John, best known for her role as straight-talking pensioner Doris in Gavin And Stacey, has died aged 84.

Published 2nd February 2011

Actress Margaret John, who has died aged 84, is pictured here playing the character of Mam from BBC

Her agent Gemma McAvoy said the Swansea-born star passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning at a hospital in the city after suffering a short illness.

She said: "Her career spanned 60 years and she did everything from film to television, radio and some amazing theatre roles.

"She used to say how she started playing lots of tragic roles and it was only later people recognised her great sense of humour.

"She had the most infectious love of life and an incredible sense of humour, and that is why people felt so warmly towards her.

"She felt like a friend to us all and not just a colleague and she will be sadly missed."

John, a widow with no children, had a lengthy career that included appearances in the long-running Welsh series High Hopes and the forthcoming HBO show Game Of Thrones.

Her Gavin And Stacey co-star James Corden paid tribute to her on Twitter, writing: "All my thoughts are with the family of Margaret John who played Doris in G and S. A great actress and an incredible lady. She will be missed x."

She said: "After appearing in many of the dramas that defined British television, including Doctor Who and Z-Cars, she found a whole new army of viewers with Gavin And Stacey and the hugely popular BBC Cymru Wales comedy High Hopes."